Matthew Harlan “Matt” Stricker, 41, of Hays, Kansas passed away Sunday, June 06, 2015 at his home.

Matt was born February 9, 1974 in Russell, Kansas, the son of Gottfried, Jr. and Marsha (Boxberger) Stricker.  He grew up in Russell until the fourth grade when Matt and his family moved to Hays.  He graduated from Hays High School in the Class of ’92.  During high school Matt obtained a brown belt in Ti Kwon Do.

Matt was a Co-Owner of Back To Nature, Inc. of Hays.  He has been involved with this company for over 20 years.  In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing in his boat at Lake Wilson, cheering on his beloved Kansas University and spending time with his many friends.

Matt’s surviving family include his mother and step father, Marsha and Jay Scott of Hays, Kansas; sisters, Stacy Byington (Dave) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Gretchen Grade (Joel) of Chicago, Illinios; niece Alexa Grade and nephew Avery Grade of Chicago, Illinios.  He was preceded in death by his father and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Celebration of Matt’s Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 12, 2015 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor Judy Stricker officiating.  A private burial of ashes will follow at a later date.  Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. to service time on Friday at the mortuary.  In lieu of flower, memorials may be given to First Call for Help of Hays, Kansas, and may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.